Insight

China needs more than 100,000 pilots in 2 decades

12/08/2016|9:22:50 AM|Bloomberg

Airlines in China need to hire 5,550 pilots a year for the next two decades as new plane orders and demand for air travel surges, according to Boeing Co.

With the nation on course to eclipse North America as the world’s largest travel market, China will need 111,000 new aviators through 2035, projected Boeing. This accounts for 40% of the global pilot demand, the Chicago-based plane maker said.

Aviation is booming in China, where the number of airlines has increased 28% to 55 in the past five years. Air traffic over China is set to almost quadruple in the next two decades, making it the world’s busiest market, according to rival Airbus Group.

As China endures a pilot shortage, local airlines are dangling lucrative pay packages at foreigners with cockpit experience, according to recruiters. Foreign aviators can earn as much as USD 26,000 a month in net pay in China.

The Asian country also needs 119,000 flight technicians over the next two decades, while Southeast Asia requires 62,000 pilots and 67,000 technicians, Boeing said.

In a global forecast in July, Boeing said airlines worldwide will need to recruit and train about 617,000 pilots to fly 39,620 planes, valued at USD 5.9 trillion, that are expected to be added through 2035.

The Asia-Pacific region will need 15,130 new aircraft valued at USD 2.35 trillion in the next two decades, according to Boeing.